Skruf Engraved Swedish Vase, Child Shoveling Beach Sand, Edenfalk 1970s, Great Gift

Bengt Edenfalk designed this charming little child, happily shoveling beach sand, and having no concern for clothing. The handmade Swedish lead crystal vase is in very good condition, with only a few minor scratches. The vase is 7 inches tall, 3.5 inches wide, 2.5 inches deep, and it weighs more than 2.5 pounds. It is copper-wheel engraved by hand, in the traditional manner, and signed on its base with the company and artist's names. It is very clear, and it has no chips, but it does have some little scratches, as shown in the photos.

The hand blown crystal vase was engraved by spinning copper wheels, pressing a slurry of grit, which cut into the surface. This a difficult technique to learn, but it's one that allows the engraver to execute varied depths and finishes to reproduce the artist's drawing. The shape of the vase is a flattened cone; it's modern and clean-lined. Edenfalk designed it, and others, with flatter surfaces on which decorative motifs could be more easily engraved.

Skruf was founded in 1897 by a former manager from Johansfors Glassworks. Originally, the company produced mainly simple drinking glasses and preserve jars. From 1910 onwards, they produced an extensive line of tableware. Most pieces were designed by Magni Magnusson, until 1953, when Bengt Edenfalk joined Skruf as the chief designer. While at Skruf, Edenfalk developed the famous Thalatta technique, which is difficult to master because the design is applied while the glass is hot. Edenfalk left Skruf in 1978 to work for Kosta. Other designers who worked at Skruf are Lars Hellsten and Ingegerd Råman.